The natural products industry is mourning the passing of Panch Ratan Prasad. On March 20, 2025, Prasad passed away peacefully at the age of 75. Remembered as a compassionate, dedicated, and committed family man, Prasad was a strong advocate for the natural products industry. He is survived by his wife, Katia, and his three sons—Sanjeev, Rajeev, and Bryce.
A true entrepreneur, Prasad was most recently the CEO of U.S. Int'l Trading Corp. Previously, he served as a chemistry professor in Africa and was Owner/Chief Executive Officer of Mill Creek Botanicals. He purchased the company in the late-90s and spent 10 years representing the brand as an independent broker. His drive and passion for innovation and growth helped grow the company to obtain over 100 SKU's today.
"My dad had a deep love for this industry and a special place in his heart for Mill Creek—but what he cherished most were the connections he made with people. He was larger than life, with a personality you couldn’t forget after just one meeting. He was hilarious, hardworking, and above all, deeply loving. He will be immensely missed, but his memory and the impact he made will live on indefinitely," shared son Rajeev Prasad, President/Founder of Perfect 10 Brands.
Panch Prasad was a big believer in giving back to the community. A member of PETA and Vitamin Angels, Prasad led Mill Creek's involvement in donating to local Nevada charities and supporting Mayo Clinic's Cancer and Parkinson's disease research.
Panch Prasad (center, white shirt) surrounded by friends and colleagues during industry trade show. Shannon Charles, ShannybellaXO Consulting, remembers Prasad for his humor and impact on those around him, “Panch Prasad wasn’t just a legend in the natural product industry—he was one of those rare people you never forget. Even when he wasn’t feeling his best, he’d show up at a show, crack some hilariously off-color joke just to get a rise out of you, and somehow everything just felt lighter. We bonded over that sharp, mischievous humor, and those moments will stay with me forever. He was also an incredible father figure, and it’s clear that the amazing person Rajeev is today is a reflection of that love, strength, and spirit. We’ll continue to share stories and memories of Panch—because someone like him doesn’t fade, he stays with us, making us smile again and again. Rest in peace our beloved Panch.""Panch Prasad will be deeply missed by the entire natural products industry. He was a true pioneer—full of wisdom, heart, and charisma. I have the fondest memories of his big personality lighting up tradeshows. He was always dancing, cracking jokes, and sharing incredible stories from his long and fascinating life—with Raj right by his side. Raj is one of the most entrepreneurial, fun-loving, and driven people I’ve ever met, and it’s clear that so much of that spirit was inspired by growing up with Panch as a father. Panch’s legacy lives on in Raj, and in all of us who were lucky enough to know him," shared Jessica Mulligan, Founder of Winged.
"Working with Panch was always interesting, as he always made it fun and appreciated us going that extra mile for him. We are all fans of Mill Creek and how he and his family have grown the brand. I am glad he was able to celebrate the Mill Creek anniversary at Expo this past year. He was a pioneer in the personal care space. He will be missed by all," commented Heather Wainer, Publisher/Chief Business Officer WholeFoods Magazine.
Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service during the week of May 19 in Las Vegas, NV.
